Residents see red over dangling, naked wires

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 1

The state government claims to have initiated steps to upgrade power infrastructure, but uncovered transmission boxes on electricity poles and dangling wires continue to pose threat to lives and properties of city residents.

Almost all residential areas, falling in the Municipal Corporation (MC) limits, have dangling high-tension wires. Several cases of mishaps, including loss of life, have been reported from differnt parts of the city. The officials concerned are yet to wake up from their deep slumber as they appear to have been waiting for a major tragedy to take place.

At many places, even wire joints are lying uncovered which can prove fatal during rain. Despite numerous complaints, the officials concerend are yet to fix such issues.

A visit to several localities revealed that lids of junction boxes of a number of streetlights are missing. It has been learnt that they have never been repaired since installation. At many places, lids are open, inviting mishaps.

A shopkeeper, Shikhar Kumar, said such wires can be seen hanging loosely, often falling on shops and houses. The overhead cables can jeopardise the life of any commuter. He said residents were tired of complaining about the dangling cables to the Powercom, but to no avail. He said civic body officials must remove the loosely hanging wires at the earliest before any mishap takes place.

“We are fed up. From telephone and electricity to internet cables, you can see all types of wires hanging loosely. These can cause mishaps,” a local resident said.

Another resident, Atul Garg, said transformers and wires were uncovered at most of the places. Sparking is a common sight.”

Powercom officials say the MC is responsible for streetlights. When contacted, Mayor Balwant Rai Nath said he would instruct the officials concerned to get it checked and fix the issue of hanging or uncovered wires as safety of people is important.